Dealing with tensions between Japan and its East Asian neighbors, resolving the long-stalled relocation of the U.S. Futenma base, negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade deal, and promoting nuclear power while Japan looks to phase it out are just some of the bilateral issues U.S. President Barack Obama faces in his second term.

Still, Tokyo's overall ties with Washington appear sound, commentators say, and things will change little following Obama's Tuesday re-election, which was backed by 80 percent of the Japanese public according to one poll.

Lingering memories of U.S. assistance after last year's earthquake and tsunami and, more recently, support for the bilateral security alliance in the face of tensions with China over the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands have also positively contributed to developing ties.